Aerosol-generating device with sealed compartment

ABSTRACT

An aerosol-generating device may include a housing defining at least one internal compartment. The housing may be waterproof. The aerosol-generating device may further include a power supply, an electric heater, and/or a haptic feedback device. Each of the power supply, electric heater, and/or haptic feedback device may be positioned within one or more of the at least one internal compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of and claims priority to PCT/EP2016/081057,filed on Dec. 14, 2016, and further claims priority to EP 16150488.1,filed on Jan. 7, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments relate to an aerosol-generating device comprising awaterproof housing, and aerosol-generating systems comprising theaerosol-generating device. At least some example embodiments are alsoapplicable as an electrically operated aerosol-generating device.

Description of Related Art

One type of aerosol-generating system is an electrically operatedaerosol-generating system. Known handheld electrically operatedaerosol-generating systems typically comprise an aerosol-generatingdevice comprising a battery, control electronics, and an electric heaterfor heating an aerosol-generating article designed specifically for usewith the aerosol-generating device. In some systems, theaerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate,such as a tobacco rod or a tobacco plug, and the heater contained withinthe aerosol-generating device is inserted into or around theaerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article isinserted into the aerosol-generating device. In other electricallyoperated aerosol-generating systems, the aerosol-generating article maycomprise a capsule containing an aerosol-generating substrate, such asloose tobacco.

Typically, an aerosol-generating device is reusable with a plurality ofdisposable or refillable aerosol-generating articles. Therefore, thepurchase of an aerosol-generating device may represent a larger consumerinvestment when compared to the purchase of a single aerosol-generatingarticle.

SUMMARY

An aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing defining at leastone internal compartment. The housing may be waterproof with regard tothe at least one internal compartment. A power supply may be positionedwithin the at least one internal compartment. In addition, an electricheater may be positioned within the at least one internal compartment.Furthermore, a haptic feedback device may be positioned within the atleast one internal compartment.

An aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating deviceand an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article mayinclude a storage portion and an aerosol-forming substrate within thestorage portion. The electric heater of the aerosol-generating devicemay be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate during anoperation of the aerosol-generating system. For example, the housing ofthe aerosol-generating device may further define a cavity configured toreceive the aerosol-generating article. The electric heater of theaerosol-generating device may be configured to heat the aerosol-formingsubstrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within thecavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating system in accordance with anotherexample embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an aerosol-generating system in accordance with anotherexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

According to an example embodiment, an aerosol-generating device maycomprise a housing defining at least one internal compartment. Thehousing may be waterproof (with regard to the at least one internalcompartment). The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a powersupply, an electric heater, and/or a haptic feedback device. Each of thepower supply, electric heater, and/or haptic feedback device may bepositioned within one or more of the at least one internal compartments.

The term “waterproof” is used herein to refer to a liquid ingressprotection level of at least 6 when measured in accordance with IECstandard 60529. Thus, a housing that is waterproof will provide such aprotection level against liquid ingress into the at least one internalcompartment therein.

Additionally, the aerosol-generating devices may comprise a hapticfeedback device. In an example embodiment, the aerosol-generating devicecomprises a waterproof housing defining the internal compartment inwhich the power supply or the electric heater, or both the power supplyand the electric heater, are positioned. A waterproof housing improvesthe reliability of aerosol-generating devices when compared to knownaerosol-generating devices by protecting the power supply and the heaterfrom water damage. Using a haptic feedback device may facilitatewaterproofing of the housing since the haptic feedback device can beentirely sealed within the housing. This is in contrast to knownaerosol-generating devices, which typically use at least one of a lightand a speaker to provide feedback. Lights and speakers typically requireat least one opening in the housing to facilitate adequate transmissionof light or sound through the housing to provide the desired feedback,which prevents waterproofing of the housing.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an input devicepositioned within the at least one internal compartment. Providing aninput device may enable the control of one or more functions of theaerosol-generating device. The input device may enable the control of atleast one of an activation of the electric heater, a deactivation of theelectric heater, a duration of a heating cycle, an electronic locking ofthe device to prevent activation of the electric heater, an electronicunlocking of the device to permit activation of the electric heater, andcombinations thereof. The aerosol-generating device may be configured toprovide feedback via the haptic feedback device in response to an inputvia the input device.

In an example embodiment, the input device is positioned within theinternal compartment so that the input device does not compromise thewaterproofing of the housing. The input device may comprise at least oneof a capacitive sensor, an electro-optical sensor, an accelerometer, agyroscope, a magnetometer, and combinations thereof. Such input devicesfacilitate the positioning of the input device within the internalcompartment. This is in contrast to push-button input devices used onknown aerosol-generating devices, which may prevent or compromise thewaterproofing of a housing. Typically, push-button input devices extendthrough an aperture in a housing, which may provide a route for moistureor other contaminants to directly enter the housing.

In example embodiments in which the input device comprises a capacitivesensor, the capacitive sensor may be positioned on an internal surfaceof the housing. Positioning the capacitive sensor on an internal surfacemay improve the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor to stimuli outsidethe housing. For example, positioning the capacitive sensor on aninternal surface of the housing may facilitate detection of a digit orfinger when positioned proximate to or against the external surface ofthe portion of the housing overlying the capacitive sensor. The portionof the housing overlying the capacitive sensor may have a reducedthickness compared to adjacent portions of the housing to optimize thesensitivity of the capacitive sensor. The housing may be provided withone or more indicia on the external surface of the housing to indicatethe location of the capacitive sensor.

In example embodiments in which the input device comprises anelectro-optical sensor, at least a portion of the housing may besubstantially transparent to at least one wavelength of electromagneticradiation to which the electro-optical sensor is sensitive.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, the haptic feedbackdevice may comprise at least one of an eccentric rotating mass motor, alinear resonant actuator, and a piezoelectric device. Such hapticfeedback devices may be relatively small with relatively low powerrequirements, and therefore particularly suitable for inclusion inaerosol-generating devices.

The housing may be hermetically sealed. The term “hermetically sealed”is used herein to refer to a liquid ingress protection level of at least7 when measured in accordance with IEC standard 60529. Anaerosol-generating device comprising a hermetically sealed housing maytolerate immersion in water without suffering water damage to the powersupply, the haptic feedback device, the electric heater, and any otherelectrical components positioned within the at least one internalcompartment.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, the electric heatermay comprise at least one of a resistive heater and an inductive heater.For instance, the electric heater may be an inductive heater. Aninductive heater positioned within the at least one internal compartmentmay be operated to heat an aerosol-generating article positioned outsideof the at least one internal compartment without significant heating ofthe housing or other components of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may define a cavity for receiving anaerosol-generating article. At least a portion of the at least oneinternal compartment may circumscribe at least a portion of the cavity.The electric heater may be an inductive heater circumscribing at least aportion of the cavity. The inductive heater may have a substantiallyannular shape.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, theaerosol-generating device may further comprise a wireless data connectorpositioned within the at least one internal compartment. A wireless dataconnector can facilitate data communication between theaerosol-generating device and an external device without compromisingthe waterproofing of the housing. The wireless data connector may beconfigured to transmit data from the aerosol-generating device, receivedata from an external device, or transmit and receive data.

The wireless data connector may be configured to transmit operationaldata relating to the operation of the aerosol-generating device. Forexample, the operational data may include information relating to atleast one of a number of activations of the electric heater, the totalduration of operation of the electric heater, the number and type ofaerosol-generating articles used with the aerosol-generating device, anda remaining power level within the power supply.

The wireless data connector may be configured to receive data relatingto a software update. The wireless data connector may be configured forwireless communication using at least one wireless protocol selectedfrom Near Field Communication, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, andUltra-wideband.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a data storagedevice. The data storage device may be configured to store operationaldata relating to the operation of the aerosol-generating device. Thedata storage device may be configured to store operational data prior totransmission of the operational data by the wireless data connector. Thedata storage device may be configured to store data received by thewireless data connector. The data storage device may be configured tostore operational data prior to transmission by the wireless dataconnector and configured to store data received by the wireless dataconnector. The data storage device may comprise a flash memory datastorage medium.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, theaerosol-generating device may further comprise a wireless powerconnector positioned within the at least one internal compartment. Awireless power connector may facilitate the transfer of electrical powerbetween an external source of electrical power and theaerosol-generating device without compromising the waterproofing of thehousing. The power supply may be rechargeable, and the wireless powerconnector may be configured to recharge the power supply usingelectrical power received inductively from an external source. Thewireless power connector may be an inductive charging coil.

The power supply may be a battery, such as a rechargeable lithium ionbattery. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of chargestorage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may requirerecharging. The power supply may have a capacity that allows for thestorage of enough energy for one or more experiences. For example, thepower supply may have sufficient capacity to allow for the continuousgeneration of aerosol or vapor for a period of around six minutes (whichmay correspond to the average time to smoke a cigarette) or for a periodthat is a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supplymay have sufficient capacity to allow for a predetermined or desirednumber of applications of negative pressure or discrete activations ofthe electric heater.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, theaerosol-generating device may further comprise a controller positionedwithin the at least one internal compartment. The controller may beconfigured to control at least one of the power supply, the hapticfeedback device, and the electric heater. When present, at least one ofthe input device, the wireless data connector, and the wireless powerconnector may be controlled by the controller.

The housing may have an elongated form. The housing may comprise anysuitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitablematerials include metals, alloys, plastics, or composite materialscontaining one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that aresuitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example,polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyethylene. In anexample embodiment, the material is light and non-brittle.

The aerosol-generating device may be portable. The aerosol-generatingdevice may have a size comparable to a cigar or cigarette. Theaerosol-generating device may have a total length between approximately30 mm and approximately 150 mm. The aerosol-generating device may havean external diameter between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm.

An aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating articleand an aerosol-generating device in accordance with any of the exampleembodiments described herein.

The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substratethat is heated by the electric heater of the aerosol-generating device.The aerosol-forming substrate or pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid,solid, and/or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water,beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural orartificial flavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerine and propyleneglycol.

The electric heater may indirectly heat the aerosol-forming substrate.The electric heater may be an inductive heater, and theaerosol-generating article may further comprise a susceptor in thermalcommunication with the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor isheated by the inductive heater, and the aerosol-forming substrate isheated by the susceptor. The susceptor may be configured to heat theaerosol-forming substrate by at least one of conductive heat transfer,convective heat transfer, radiative heat transfer, and combinationsthereof.

The housing of the aerosol-generating device may define a cavity forreceiving the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating articlemay comprise a liquid storage portion and a liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate stored within the liquid storage portion. The electric heaterheats a small portion of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate in orderto vaporize the small portion of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containingmaterial comprising volatile tobacco flavour compounds which arereleased from the liquid upon heating. Alternatively, or in addition,the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobaccomaterial. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may include water,solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, and natural or artificial flavours.The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosolformer.

As used herein, the term “aerosol former” is used to describe anysuitable known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitate theformation of an aerosol or vapor. Suitable aerosol formers aresubstantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operatingtemperature of the aerosol-generating article. Examples of suitableaerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating system may further comprise a capillary wick incommunication with the liquid storage portion. The capillary wick isarranged to be in contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substratewithin the liquid storage portion. The liquid aerosol-forming substrateis transferred from the liquid storage portion along the capillary wickby capillary action, where it is heated by the electric heater. Inexample embodiments in which the electric heater comprises an inductiveheater, the aerosol-generating system may further comprise a susceptor.The inductive heater heats the susceptor, and the liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate is transferred from the liquid storage portion to thesusceptor via the capillary wick.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a solid aerosol-formingsubstrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. Theaerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing materialcontaining volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released fromthe substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise anon-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may also comprisetobacco-containing material and non-tobacco containing material.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include at least one aerosol former.Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyhydricalcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanedioland glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-,di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylicacids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former.Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combinationof two or more aerosol formers.

The aerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol former content ofgreater than 5 percent on a dry weight basis. For example, theaerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol former content of betweenapproximately 5 percent and approximately 30 percent on a dry weightbasis. In a non-limiting embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate mayhave an aerosol former content of approximately 20 percent on a dryweight basis.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substratecomprising a first aerosol-forming substrate comprising a nicotinesource and a second aerosol-forming substrate comprising an acid source.The electric heater heats the first and second aerosol-formingsubstrates to volatilize the nicotine and the acid so that the nicotineand acid are reacted together in the gas phase to form an aerosol ofnicotine salt particles.

The nicotine source may comprise one or more of nicotine, nicotine base,a nicotine salt, such as nicotine-HCl, nicotine-tartrate, ornicotine-ditartrate, or a nicotine derivative.

The nicotine source may comprise natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine.

The nicotine source may comprise pure nicotine, a solution of nicotinein an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent, or a liquid tobacco extract.

The nicotine source may further comprise an electrolyte formingcompound. The electrolyte forming compound may be selected from thegroup consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkalimetal salts, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metalhydroxides, and combinations thereof.

For example, the nicotine source may comprise an electrolyte formingcompound selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide,sodium hydroxide, lithium oxide, barium oxide, potassium chloride,sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, ammonium sulfate, andcombinations thereof.

In non-limiting embodiments, the nicotine source may comprise an aqueoussolution of nicotine, nicotine base, a nicotine salt, or a nicotinederivative, and an electrolyte forming compound. The nicotine source mayfurther comprise other components including, but not limited to, naturalflavours, artificial flavours, and antioxidants.

The acid source may comprise an organic acid or an inorganic acid. Theorganic acid may include a carboxylic acid, e.g., lactic acid or analpha-keto or 2-oxo acid. In an example embodiment, the acid source maycomprise an acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid,3-ethyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, pyruvic acid, 2-oxopentanoic acid,4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoic acid, 2-oxooctanoicacid, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system 10 in accordance with anexample embodiment. The aerosol-generating system 10 comprises anaerosol-generating device 12 comprising a housing 14 defining at leastone internal compartment 16. The housing 14, and therefore the at leastone internal compartment 16, are waterproof.

The aerosol-generating device 12 comprises a power supply 18, a wirelesspower connector 20, a wireless data connector 22, a data storage device24, a haptic feedback device 26, a controller 28, an input device 30,and an electric heater 32, all positioned within the internalcompartment 16. The controller 28 controls a supply of electrical powerfrom the power supply 18 to the other electrical components positionedwithin the internal compartment 16. The electric heater 32 is an annularinductive heater.

The aerosol-generating system 10 further comprises an aerosol-generatingarticle 40 that is received within a cavity 34 of the aerosol-generatingdevice 12. The aerosol-generating article 40 comprises anaerosol-forming substrate 42, a hollow acetate tube 44, a polymericfilter 46, a mouthpiece 48, and an outer wrapper 50. The aerosol-formingsubstrate 42 comprises a susceptor dispersed within a plug of tobaccoand the mouthpiece 48 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate fibres.

The controller 28 supplies electrical current from the power supply 18to the electric heater 32 to inductively heat the susceptor within theaerosol-forming substrate 42. As the susceptor is heated, the tobaccowithin the aerosol-forming substrate 42 is heated and volatile compoundsare released from the tobacco. Electrical current is supplied from thepower supply 18 to the haptic feedback device 26 to provide hapticfeedback to indicate the start and finish of a heating cycle.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative aerosol-generating system 100 according toan example embodiment. The aerosol-generating system 100 comprises anaerosol-generating device 12 that is identical to the aerosol-generatingdevice 12 described with reference to FIG. 1. Therefore, like referencenumerals are used to designate like parts, and the functions of bothaerosol-generating devices 12 are the same and have not been repeated inthe interest of brevity.

The aerosol-generating system 100 shown in FIG. 2 comprises anaerosol-generating article 102 comprising a cartridge 104 defining afirst compartment 106 containing a nicotine source and a secondcompartment 108 containing an acid source. The nicotine source maycomprise a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick, with nicotine adsorbedthereon. The acid source may comprise a sorption element, such as a PTFEwick, with acid adsorbed thereon. The acid may be, for example, lacticacid.

The aerosol-generating article 102 further comprises a susceptor 110positioned between the first and second compartments 106, 108. Theaerosol-generating article 102 further comprises a third compartment 112positioned downstream of the first and second compartments 106, 108. Thethird compartment 112 is in fluid communication with the first andsecond compartments 106, 108.

The controller 28 supplies electrical current from the power supply 18to the electric heater 32 to inductively heat the susceptor 110 withinthe aerosol-generating article 102. Heating of the susceptor 110 heatsthe first and second compartments 106, 108, which volatilizes thenicotine and the acid within the first and second compartmentsrespectively. The nicotine and acid vapors mix within the thirdcompartment 112 and react to form an aerosol comprising nicotine saltparticles. Electrical current is supplied from the power supply 18 tothe haptic feedback device 26 to provide haptic feedback to indicate thestart and finish of a heating cycle.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative aerosol-generating system 200 according toan example embodiment. The aerosol-generating system 200 comprises anaerosol-generating device 12 that is identical to the aerosol-generatingdevice 12 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, likereference numerals are used to designate like parts and the function ofeach aerosol-generating device 12 is the same and has not been repeatedin the interest of brevity.

The aerosol-generating system 200 shown in FIG. 3 comprises anaerosol-generating article 202 comprising a cartridge 204 housing aliquid storage portion 206 and a susceptor 208. A liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate 210 is stored within the liquid storage portion 206 and acapillary wick 212 extends between the liquid storage portion 206 andthe susceptor 208. The capillary wick 212 substantially surrounds thesusceptor 208.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210 is transferred by capillaryaction along the capillary wick 212 from the liquid storage portion 206to the susceptor 208. The controller 28 supplies electrical current fromthe power supply 18 to the electric heater 32 to inductively heat thesusceptor 208 within the aerosol-generating article 202. Heating of thesusceptor 208 heats and volatilizes the liquid aerosol-forming substrate210 from the capillary wick 212. Electrical current is supplied from thepower supply 18 to the haptic feedback device 26 to provide hapticfeedback to indicate the start and finish of a heating cycle.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Forinstance, one of more features from one embodiment may be applicable toand implemented in other embodiments. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to oneskilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: ahousing defining at least one internal compartment, the housing beingwaterproof with regard to the at least one internal compartment; a powersupply positioned within the at least one internal compartment; anelectric heater positioned within the at least one internal compartment;and a haptic feedback device positioned within the at least one internalcompartment.
 2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,further comprising: an input device positioned within the at least oneinternal compartment.
 3. The aerosol-generating device according toclaim 2, wherein the input device includes at least one of a capacitivesensor, an electro-optical sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and amagnetometer.
 4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,wherein the haptic feedback device includes at least one of an eccentricrotating mass motor, a linear resonant actuator, and a piezoelectricdevice.
 5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, whereinthe housing is hermetically sealed.
 6. The aerosol-generating deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the electric heater is an inductiveheater.
 7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a wireless data connector positioned within the at least oneinternal compartment.
 8. The aerosol-generating device according toclaim 7, wherein the wireless data connector is configured for wirelesscommunication using at least one wireless protocol selected from NearField Communication, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and Ultra-wideband. 9.The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:a wireless power connector positioned within the at least one internalcompartment.
 10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 9,wherein the power supply is rechargeable, and the wireless powerconnector is an inductive charging coil configured to recharge the powersupply using electrical power received inductively from an externalsource.
 11. An aerosol-generating system comprising: theaerosol-generating device according to claim 1; and anaerosol-generating article including a liquid storage portion and aliquid aerosol-forming substrate within the liquid storage portion, theelectric heater of the aerosol-generating device configured to heat theliquid aerosol-forming substrate during an operation of theaerosol-generating system.
 12. An aerosol-generating system comprising:an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate;and the aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, the housing ofthe aerosol-generating device further defining a cavity configured toreceive the aerosol-generating article, the electric heater of theaerosol-generating device configured to heat the aerosol-formingsubstrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within thecavity.
 13. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, whereinthe aerosol-forming substrate includes tobacco.
 14. Theaerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein theaerosol-forming substrate includes a first aerosol-forming substrateincluding a nicotine source and a second aerosol-forming substrateincluding an acid source.
 15. The aerosol-generating system according toclaim 1, wherein the power supply, the electric heater, and the hapticfeedback device are positioned within a same compartment of the at leastone internal compartment.